Matt,
Catching up on the messages of this board since my return from the left-coast...sorry for this being somewhat out of date... interesting thread though that I hope others will revisit...

Interesting statement and very true... however, I would personally classify Lane as an abolitionist... perhaps one of the most effective (practical)abolitionists west of the Mississippi - regardless of his motives.

His brand of practical abolition denuded western Missouri of any slaves remaining in the first years of the war (those that owners had not sent south out of fear of the Jayhawkers during the Border War days.)

In my County (Bates) alone... where Lane's brigade focused an inordinate amount of attention in 1861 through winter of 61-62, the population of slaves was cut in half, per the surviving tax assessor's records of 1862, - directly as a result of the Brigade’s activities there.

I agree whole-heartedly about the statement of Lane's sympathy for African Americans... it was non existant. He viewed them first as a source of power for the Slave owners that needed to be removed. Once that was dealt with, he saw them as an untapped resource for the war effort... (not to mention a convenient political issue).

Lane, like Lincoln was a consumate political creature that was very adroit at sensing the political temperature of the water....(well, Lane was adroit up to his final miscalculation during the Johnson administration, anyways)

I have recently been reading some new writings (some would call revisionist) that call into question President Lincoln's claim on the mantle of "Great Emancipator"... there is some credence to these arguments as until the draft of the E.P. in July of 62, Lincoln was very reticent of making a move against slavery (in fact, I have read that there was doubt right up to January 1, 1863, whether or not he would actually enact the E.P.) Yet, few would deny Lincoln was an abolitionist... very interesting stuff!

... But, regardless of motive, Lane's intent, and result, was abolition.

Guess it boils down to the fact that just like people today, people back then were very complex and their motives were often clear as mud...

-chris